The Dozen Oddest Liquors in the World

Kvass

What you might call a Russian’s daily bread, this low alcohol (one or two percent) refresher has been brewed in some form across Eastern Europe for a millennia and is made typically by fermenting black or rye bread, but also may contain herbs or fruit flavors, anything from raisins to strawberries. After the fall of the Soviet Union kvass started falling in popularity – it had been said that many Russians drank more kvass than water – in the shadow of mighty Coke. A surge in patriotism in recent years though has restored its fortune and it’s back on top (naturally Coca Cola now makes its own version of kvass). Ochakovo is the most popular brand, with a bittersweet flavor with malty hints of rye. [$1-$2 for 16 oz.; ochakovo.ru]